The ramblings of a weary traveler...

There is special kind of endurance required for this kind of travel. Where you are traveling so far out of your own time zone that by the time you reach your destination, you are ready to crash into bed and where you’re at they’re getting up. The kind of endurance it takes to lug 70+ lbs of luggage for over 20 mins to a train station and lift 70+ lbs into said train and into a luggage rack and then do the same thing again when you switch trains all on about 5 hours of sleep. I’m not saying it’s not worth it, but there are the ugly sides of travel. Speaking of which, waiting at the train station, it makes you think of romantic movies or catching the train to Hogwarts and train travel is the only way to travel right? Well it’s also a really good way to murder birds I guess... Being too perceptive for my own good and the train is pulling into the station and what do I notice? All the blood and guts on the front of the train. Gross! But here I am riding a train through the French countryside. It’s quiet and smooth riding the TGV, trees blur past, and you want to just capture everything you see so you can remember when you’re no longer here.

It was tricky trying to get everything I needed in 1 piece of luggage under 50 lbs, a carry-on, and a personal item. As it was I didn’t even think about that my bag would be over 50lbs and it was. So I had to take stuff out and shove it into my backpack which was already full to bursting so as to avoid a $100 charge. The flight to Dallas was uneventful. The layover went longer as the flight to Paris (with accent) was delayed. The one time I try to use the restroom the guy in front of me breaks it and I have to go to the back of the plane and wait in a huge line where some snarky flight attendant decides there’s too much turbulence and orders us to go and sit down. So I stood in line waiting for the restroom for 20 mins and never used it and then the guy who broke the restroom, I watched him use it 5 times! Some people! However while waiting in line I met and had a lovely chat with a lady who was going to France with a group of high school students. They were getting to go for 2 weeks and being a Catholic school are going to mass at Notre Dame. I sat next to one of the students and we chatted as well. It was quite lovely seeing as I met these people because a nice gentleman gave up his aisle seat.

The most anxious I have been was waiting for my luggage, hoping and praying they did not lose it. You’re watching the conveyer belt thinking “Yes, I did pack an extra outfit with my carry on but what about all my other outfits, my shampoo (I wanna be clean again!!!), my cute hat, etc etc. But then a miracle happens and a bright green piece of luggage comes around the corner and you yell “I’m safe!” (also to which you are grateful that you picked a neon color that stands out the most) to which the lovely lady you met on the plane chuckles and wishes you a good trip.

I’m seeing cathedrals and buildings older than anything we have as I look out the window! Très cool! 

Pictures and more on my first days here to follow…in other words to be contd…